I love to read. I love to travel. I also love history. (Yes, I’m a bit of a nerd).
Put the three together and you have one of my favorite hobbies: reading notable authors from the countries I visit. Reading seminal works by national authors not only provides historical context (beyond guided day tours) but also helps me understand the texture of a new (to me) culture.
For instance, while in Senegal a few months ago, I picked up Mariama Bâ’s “So Long A Letter.” Before arriving in Senegal, I had never heard of Bâ, who was born in the capital Dakar. This is exactly the point—to broaden my thinking and gain a new perspective on a culture I have little knowledge of or experience.
Through the characters in her novel, Bâ granted me a window into African women’s perspective on Senegal’s post-colonial past, the Islamic tradition of polygamy, and feminism. It was both eye-opening and important for me to begin to understand the texture of Senegalese culture.
I read global authors all the time, including favorites like Chile’s Isabel Allende, Colombia’s Gabriel García Márquez, India’s Jhumpa Lahiri, and Japan’s Haruki Murakami.
But this reading by national authors when traveling is more intentional. I want to discover writers that will give me a sense of place when I arrive in a new country.
Here are several writers that have made a particular impact on me:
Albanian author Ismail Kadare’s Chronicle in Stone is about the country’s slide into fascism through the eyes of a little boy.
Kiwi author Keri Hulme’s The Bone People explores a Māori family’s harsh dynamics.
South African author J.M. Coetzee’s Disgrace is a commentary on post-apartheid society. 🦋
How do you learn about a new culture when traveling? Do you read local literature? What books have you read that have opened your eyes?
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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of travel books and guides, including the #1-ranked “Explore the World with Nomads.”